univalve

noun

uni·​valve ˈyü-ni-ˌvalv How to pronounce univalve (audio)
1
: a mollusk with a shell consisting of one valve
especially : gastropod
2
: the shell of a univalve
univalve adjective

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of univalve was in 1668

Dictionary Entries Near univalve

Cite this Entry

“Univalve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/univalve. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

univalve

1 of 2 adjective
uni·​valve
ˈyü-ni-ˌvalv
: having a shell made up of only one piece

univalve

2 of 2 noun
: a univalve mollusk shell or a mollusk having such a shell
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!